Sorry I can't help with Providence, but for the Cape, If you want a house be aware that most house rentals are minimum of a week. There are lots of motels with kitchenetts, some along 6A between North Truro and Provincetown are on the beach (bay side).

As for not to be missed, I'd say the National Seashore is the best thing on the Cape.

One year olds will be happy playing in the sand (use lots of sunscreen) getting dirty and having the undivided attention of their folks.

Best wishes.

thanks emalloy. where in the cape do you recommend for our first time? yes, we do have 7 days. been looking at some and i think we'd like to keep it at $1000/week. the boys are happiest on their bjorns seeing the sights or hiking - we've taken them hiking from 2 months old. any good hiking in the area? we're thinking of visiting martha's vineyard and nantucket too. thanks for responding!

I prefer the area from Eastham to Provincetown as that is where most of the National Seashore is. There are lots of hiking/biking trails in the Seashore some that are in/over the dunes and some that go through wooded areas.

$1000 a week is low for a roomy house on the shore but there are lots of places that might meet your budget.

The ferries to Nantucket and the Vineyard leave from Hyannis and Woods Hole. Hyannis is about half way to the elbow, Woods Hole is nearer the beginning of the Cape on the south, these are in the more congested area with more options for lodging and dining.

sorry, that was $1000/week if just us and double with the other couple. I've been looking at wellsfeet and truro. any other areas i should search for in vrbo or weneedavacation?

The National Seashore and other Outer Cape beaches are gorgeous but the water is too rough and too cold for toddlers.

Beaches facing Nantucket Sound have warmer water and small waves.

Providence: if the conference is at Brown or RISD, stay in the conference hotel, which is presumably downtown. There has been a lot of artsy rejuvenation downtown with lots of restaurants and galleries. If it is farther out at New England College, I can't help. You won't have any trouble filling two days.

With kids, I'd stay in North Truro along the bay, as the water is calm . In July, high season, your budget will not get you a house on the water. If you stay in Wellfleet you can also access the wonderful freshwater kettle ponds, which are great for kids as well as adults who love to swim.
Both Wellfleet and Truro offer easy access to Provincetown, which is a must see.

Most agency rentals are Saturday to Saturday. $1000 will get a basic cottage with few amenities and not near a beach as that time starts the high season on Cape Cod. Agree that you want to be on the bay side for warmer, calmer water. The Seashore beaches (Atlantic Ocean) are much colder. I don't think it will be more than 60 degrees at the beginning of July. Bay will be much warmer.

Hi All, many thanks for the advice (s). OK, definitely got a confirmation from friends that they will be jpining us so we're looking at a 4 bedrrom for about $2500. We can be there on Saturday if needed, we'll just shave off a day from Providence.

my conference is in Philadelphia (till June 28) then headed to Providence for what was a couple of days but I guess just overnight now.

Yes, looking at the bayside. Which area Would be more affordable to have really near the water? Many, many thanks!!,

Found a house that looks like it may work for us bu it's between shore drive in barnstable. Is that road really busy and dangerous to cross? Thanks.

Can you give more info?

Barnstable is much more built up, year round community, less beachy feel. I agree with other posters that you should limit your search to Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro if you want a beach vacation. You won't get waterfront for your price range and there are no rental properties to speak of on the ocean side as it's all National Seashore. For $2500 you can get a nice home a mile from the water (really not terrible) or a more run down property closer to the water but still a long walk away. It's very easy to drive to and park at the bay beaches as well as the ponds, you'll have a wonderful vacation. If you post links to potential properties I would be happy to make comments, I'm sure plenty of other people would also.

Hi All. Sorry, I threw my back out and been in pain so haven't had a chance to reply back. This is the property we're about to book. What do you think? The bedroom situation is ideal and the owner is renovating the rest of the bedrooms this spring. It's about 300 yards from the beach.

http://www.weneedavacation.com/Cape-Cod/Truro-Vacation-Rental-17535/

Thanks All!

Oh, and the address is 525 Shore Drive, Truro, Ma

That part of North Truro is very built up with a lot of rentals close to one another. You can see this by using google and "walking" around the area.

If that's okay with you, it's a good location in that you can walk to the bay beach and, I think, you're on the local bus route that takes you into Provincetown. That's a big advantage since parking in P-town can be a real pain sometimes.

Hi maria so,

To answer the Providence part of your trip, would your twins enjoy the zoo? http://www.rwpzoo.org/

I'd choose to stay along the riverwalk section of Providence. On selected weekends, there's Water/Fire in Providence. We finally went last year and it's a lot of fun. I don't think the dates are out for 2012 - they are usually on saturday evening: http://www.waterfire.org/

As cw says you will be in a colony of cottages. That may actually be nice for you with little ones. Also, it looks lovely on the inside so you won't feel like the kitchen is disgusting to cook in. You're close to Provincetown,which is fun to walk around in, and if you're willing to pay for parking (generally about $10/day) it's plentiful. You did much better than I thought you were going to be able to do with your budget.

Hi Folks. we actually now increased our budget to $5500/week because we really wanted waterfront but most of the properties are booked already! I am now considering Dennis, Brewster, Sagamor Beach...where else is there a chance for beachfront at that price range for 4 bedrooms, hopefully private.

OK Folks. Here's our top 3 choices (in order of preference). The first one is actually in Chatham but love the fact that the backyard IS the beach. Any advice? Quite torn between the first 2.

http://www.weneedavacation.com/Cape-Cod/Chatham-Vacation-Rental-10173/

http://www.weneedavacation.com/Cape-Cod/Wellfleet-Vacation-Rental-18408/

http://www.weneedavacation.com/Cape-Cod/Wellfleet-Vacation-Rental-19356/

I guess I'd go with your ratings, though I love Great Island views and Chequesset Neck Rd., so I would choose house #2 for myself. I love Wellfleet but the beach may not be as nice as the one in Chatham and I think being right on the beach is important to you.

I might ask the owners for an up-to-date beach photo since there can be lots of change from year to year.

I find the third house rather claustrophobic. Sounds as though you have a great trip shaping up.

cw, would the marsh area be full of mosquitos?

Chatham is beautiful. Keep in mind that the water there is ocean, not bay, so it will be colder and there will be a current. Also, the house looks a little run down, especially the kitchen. Since they're billing it as sleeps 10 it means they're willing to rent to large groups and it's reasonable to assume the house is not impeccably maintained.
The Wellfleet house is just beyond the town pier so not the most gorgeous beach. It won't be that buggy but it will be weedy. 3rd house is not what you're looking for, I think you should keep looking. Most "perfect" houses have regular renters from one summer to the next but this week is when people have to commit so your timing is perfect for getting lucky

The Chatham house is on Nantucket Sound, not on the ocean. The water in Nantucket Sound is calmer and warmer than the ocean beaches. The location on the water with a deck to watch sunrise and sunset sounds wonderful.

Maria, I'm not sure about the mosquitoes at that Wellfleet location. I stay near a more inland marsh and it is buggy at dusk--not during the day. There may be fewer bugs right near the water (and a better chance for a breeze).

I still think the Chatham house may be more what you're looking for, especially if you don't want to load everyone into the car to drive to the beach.

Forgot to add that my only other suggestion would be to look again at Truro. There are houses near the bay beaches--not N. Truro where your first house was, but a little south of that location.

Oh, hands down, the Chatham house on Nantucket Sound. No question.

One other suggestion: Would you consider skipping Providence all together and perhaps visit Boston for those days instead?

And the beach access at Wellfleet 19356 is limited during high tide! It might even be non-existent during high tide!

Thanks bowsprit. we've been to boston for weeks at a time. we want a beach vacation.

I see. Then Providence won't do at all.

oops! Meant: Then 'Boston' won't do at all.

Just throwing it out there: Have you considered going to the beaches of Rhode Island?

I think the lure of the cape has caught us in a tight grip.... We will be in Providence for a night though. Any recommendations for where to stay or at least what area?

Well, I fully understand the lure of the Cape!

The only placed I've stayed in Providence is the Westin. It's got great views and is connected to an indoor mall through an enclosed pedestrian skybridge. Ask for a high floor and a new room. We were there for Water Fire a few Septembers ago and enjoyed ourselves.

I would go for #2 but I way prefer Wellfleet to Chatham.

I prefer Chatham when travelling with small children. You can visit the National Seashore or the Bay beaches easily from Chatham.

It's a done deal. Just sent the check and lease out for the Chatham house. sooooo excited!

now, anyone have recommendations for a good hotel with kids (1 yr old twins) in Providence? The waterfire looks great. I'm thinking the hampton in. and suites downtown? i have hilton honors and can add to reward points and they have the suites so hubby and i can unwind when the biys go to sleep. any other recommendations?